Canadians overwhelmingly see universities as a public good and want governments to invest more to secure their future, according to new Abacus Data polling commissioned by Universities Canada.
Just as Canada needs its universities most -- to train the workforce of the future, drive research and innovation, and advance Canada's nation-building ambitions -- universities are under growing financial strain. Years of underfunding, rising costs and shifting policies have left the sector in an increasingly precarious position.
Public funding per student has declined by over 20 per cent since 2010. Across much of the country domestic tuition remains frozen or capped, while recent federal policy changes have disrupted international enrolment and undermined financial stability. At the same time, costs continue to climb: three-quarters of university budgets are tied to compensation under collective agreements, demand for student service has grown sharply and institutions face a $17 billion backlog in deferred-maintenance that threatens safety and capacity.
To help governments and the sector build a shared understanding of the financial realities facing universities across Canada, Universities Canada and the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) are launching a joint initiative to strengthen the sector's financial and mission sustainability. The initiative will help identify policy and institutional levers for change, along with opportunities for collective action -- acknowledging that long-term resilience and sustainability require not only innovation and adaptability, but also the enabling conditions to make such change possible.
"Canadians can see that universities are more than classrooms and laboratories - they're engines of economic opportunity and growth, anchors of their communities and problem solvers for the country's biggest challenges," said Gabriel Miller, President and CEO, Universities Canada. "With three-quarters of Canadians saying they want governments to invest more, according to Abacus Data polling, this initiative is about ensuring universities can drive cutting-edge research, lead in areas like AI and healthcare, and equip young people with the skills and opportunities they need for fulfilling, future-ready careers."
"Universities are balancing budgets through cuts, freezes and deferrals that risk eroding quality and capacity just as Canada faces historic labour shortages," said Nathalie Laporte, Executive Director, CAUBO. "This collaboration is grounded in a shared commitment to help member institutions identify the levers and partnerships needed to drive meaningful change. By connecting insights across the sector, the initiative will surface solutions that strengthen resilience and sustainability."
The new initiative will bring together university leaders, including Presidents, Provosts, Vice-Presidents of Finance and policy experts to document current challenges, share innovative practices and identify actionable solutions to safeguard the sector's long-term sustainability.
